Rogers Files Lawsuit Against County

Rogers Files Lawsuit Against County

By Vice Chairman Gary A. House

According to the online publication The Harnett Dispatch, "Rogers, a former employee of Harnett County Public Utilities, has filed  a suit against the County and public Utilities claiming wrongful termination."

At the time Mr. Rogers worked at public utilities, there was no whistle blower policy in place.  Still Mr. Rogers attempted to bring perceived wrongdoings to the appropriate authorities.  Information that he copied from various sources including trips to USDA, NCDENR, and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund were turned over to county officials.  Much of this information prompted the Board to instruct then County Manager Scott Sauer to perform an internal investigation of public utilities on two occasions.  Mr. Sauer neglected to follow the Board's instructions.

Many Harnett residents told me that this "stuff" has been going on for decades but heads have always been turned.  I believe that there is truth to these statements.  But I believe in recent years, because heads were always turned, the incidences became more frequent, more brazen and more bold.  

Had a whistle blower policy been in place or Sauer had investigated Rogers findings, Mr. Rogers would still be employed in Harnett County and our mess would be cleaned up.  There would have been no need for him to tape conversations.  The lack of effort given to Mr. Rogers complaints prompted Mr. Rogers to attempt to gather more evidence which ultimately led to his termination.

Other employees were terminated as well.  I have talked with most of them and they tell the same stories that Mr. Rogers tells.  Several months ago, another former terminated employee filed a suit against Harnett County Public Utilities as well.  For some reason, our county attorneys have not kept the board abreast of this lawsuit and based on information that I gathered from a Harnett resident, another law firm in which I have never heard the name is representing the county in that case.

My main question is why are these people being protected.  How far do the roots go???